April 27, 2012

State Bar of Texas president makes appointments to Commission for Lawyer Discipline

State Bar of Texas President Bob Black says he appointed Pablo Javier Almaguer as a new member to the Commission for Lawyer Discipline (CLD), and reappointed Guy Harrison for a second three-year term.

“I’m very proud of both appointments, Pablo and Guy,” says Black, managing shareholder of MehaffyWeber in Beaumont. The CLD administers the attorney disciplinary system in Texas and oversees the State Bar’s Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel. Both lawyers will begin their new terms on Sept. 1.

“It’s a big responsibility, but I know it’s an honor. . . . I’m very happy to know Bob Black trusted me to do this job, along with the board who approved this appointment,” says Almaguer, private attorney involvement group coordinator at Texas RioGrande Legal Aid Inc. in Edinburg. He says he hopes his service provides input from the perspective of a South Texas lawyer and legal-aid attorney. Almaguer was chairman of the State Bar’s board of directors from 2010 to 2011.

Longview general-practice solo Harrison says in his upcoming term, he hopes to see better lawyer education to decrease the disciplinary cases the commission must resolve.

“I very much appreciate President Black having the confidence in allowing me to do it. I think the work of the commission is very important,” he says about his reappointment. Harrison was chairman of the Bar board of directors in 1997, and he was president of the State Bar in 2002.